Balanced vs RCA preamps

To the OP, Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) makes several tubed preamps.  Most of their models are solely balanced.  Heck, "Balanced" is even in their brand name.  However, the model VK-80 has two balanced inputs and three RCA inputs as well as balanced and RCA outputs.  If you are looking to buy a used preamp, their model VK-33SE is the predecessor to the VK-80 and has the exact same inputs/outputs.  I owned the VK-33SE and can speak for its sonic excellence as well as build quality.  I made a step up in the BAT product line and now have the VK-90.  Highly recommended as a brand of excellence in all regards.

Back to the Spatial Audio Lab Raven tube Preamp it is fully balanced and dead quiet. If you don’t need a lot of output power their suite (mono’s & pre) punch far above their cost. Like wow….Ahyho… 

Years ago I was yacking with Mr. Internet, Kevin Deal (he does know his stuff) and he said on the RCA/XLR question that component build quality is what matters. 

Recently I swapped in/out RCA/XLR cables from source to pre and from pre to monos. My data set of one could hear no difference. As for my build quality, that’s another matter. Lifetime guarantee? Who’s lifetime?

To drop noise floor, I prefer balanced.

For checking out tube amps including flea watt which usually have a higher noise floor, I’m indifferent.  I’m mostly concerned with the sonic profile offered by tube amplification 

I think people who like balanced enjoy plugging in the cables more than RCA. They look really cool.

@emergingsoul , ever since I was in preschool I have been fascinated by balanced circuits and the effect that they had on my audio gear; therefore at recess I would always sneak out to the nearby audio store to check out how much better the truly balanced circuits sounded than the single ended.

The short answer to your question is, it is not a good idea to base your decision on which preamp to buy solely on the basis of balanced outputs.  First of all, they do not exist for tube equipment, maybe there is a hybrid out there I am not aware of, but for all practical purposes anything with XLR connections is going to be solid state.

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@billstevenson , the Cary SLP05 is a tube preamp that features a truly balanced circuit, and I am sure that there are plenty of others.